Please help a complete newbie pick his first real/proper knife

M2HSSR-910SBK · Jul 16, 2009

harkamus said:
Moderately cheap:
Benchmade 710d2 (axis lock)
Spyderco Manix 2 (ball bearing lock; will buy this one soon enough)
Zero Tolerance 0350 (liner lock; favorite of mine)

200ish range:
DDR MQ-1a. (liner lock with .1 inch locking liner)

300+:
Chris Reeve Mnandi (frame lock with inlaid scales; very gentleman)

400ish:
Kirby Lambert Inferno (liner lock IIRC)

500+
Brian Tighe Coon (button lock)

--------------------------
These are just my picks.

MMMMMMMMMMMM Kirby Lambert. I love them.

harkamus · Jul 16, 2009

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Kirby Lambert makes some frame locks with inlaid scales similar to the design of Chris Reeve's Mnandi.

I do love the Lamberts.

Buffalohump · Jul 16, 2009

For food prep the thinner blades will work best. Again I say consider the Para-Military. It won't frighten any old ladies and S30V is an awesome steel. Good rust resistance too.

Another practical option is the Victorinox One Hand Trekker. This offers a superb blade for general purpose, and can be had in plain edge or part serrated. The part serrated is a wicked slicer. The stonewashed finish is very easy to clean. Just a fantastic product...

Otherwise I think the Ritter RSK Mk I Griptilian is a good call. That's a very useful blade shape and has a possible advantage over the PM in that the point is more obtuse. The point on the PMs are sharp, ie easily damaged. The Ritter Grip also has a stonewashed finish, a favourite of mine.

As far as sharpening goes, get yourself a Sharpmaker or similar sharpening set-up. No use buying a decent knife/knives (this wont be the last) without a decent sharpening set up.

novaldex said:
No idea for the first part, just something not too large/too big. I don't want to chop wood here. I just want a blade that i can open in front of an old lady without her thinking "oh god, he's gonna cut me in half "

For the second part : well, preparing food, cutting vegetables, eating with it, that kind of thing ...

Would you have any idea how often, considering a daily, but light use, i'd have to sharpen it ? ( i honestly have no idea )
Is it really that hard to sharpen without a bench grinder ?

2bkc · Jul 16, 2009

I would have to lean towards a ZT0350.
It is my most used edc. I open boxes and letters at work with it. I cut rope and string. When I get home I wash it off and use it for food prep in the kitchen.
The S30V steel stays sharp and the Tungsten DLC coating does not fade or falter. I thought I had marked the blade when I hit a staple while opening a box.
I took a rag and wiped the marks off.

Good luck in finding the knife you are looking for. It took me 3 years to find mine.

J.W.

novaldex · Jul 16, 2009

2bkc said:
I would have to lean towards a ZT0350.
It is my most used edc. I open boxes and letters at work with it. I cut rope and string. When I get home I wash it off and use it for food prep in the kitchen.
The S30V steel stays sharp and the Tungsten DLC coating does not fade or falter. I thought I had marked the blade when I hit a staple while opening a box.
I took a rag and wiped the marks off.

Good luck in finding the knife you are looking for. It took me 3 years to find mine.

J.W.

This may be a silly question, but are zero tolerance knives and kershaw related ?

M2HSSR-910SBK · Jul 16, 2009

harkamus said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Kirby Lambert makes some frame locks with inlaid scales similar to the design of Chris Reeve's Mnandi.

I do love the Lamberts.

Some are Frame locks like mine. mostly he does liner locks. But his liners that he uses are just about the size of production frame locks.

Jason B. · Jul 16, 2009

novaldex said:
This may be a silly question, but are zero tolerance knives and kershaw related ?

Yep, just like shun its all part of KAI.

2bkc · Jul 16, 2009

novaldex said:
This may be a silly question, but are zero tolerance knives and kershaw related ?

Yes.
The ZT line of knives are geared more towards the Police and Military clientele. I have found use for mine in every day life though. I really like the G-10 handles. Good grip when I need it but smooth enough not to shred my jeans when I clip it on my pocket. I forgot to mention before that it has left or right hand tip up or tip down clip mount.

Here are the specs on it...

Steel: S30V stainless-steel with Tungsten DLC coating (Diamond Like Carbon)
Handle: Textured black G-10
Blade Length: 3-1/4 in. (8.25 cm)
Closed Length: 4-5/8 in. (11.75 cm)
Overall Length: 7-7/8 in. (20.002 cm)
Weight: 6.2 oz.

Hope this helps.

J.W.

harkamus · Jul 16, 2009

I second the ZT 0350 if that is the budget you want to spend. If not, there are quite a few nicer knives I listed that cost, well, quite a bit more. The ZT is the knife I EDC, and despite the 5.8 ounce weight (I weighed it; it's not 6.2), I often find myself placing my hand in my pocket to check that the knife is still clipped in and that I didn't drop it somewhere.

2bkc · Jul 16, 2009

harkamus said:
I second the ZT 0350 if that is the budget you want to spend.

novaldex,
You won't be disappointed with a ZT0350.
If this interests you please feel free to email me from my website.
(link in my sig)

harkamus said:
and despite the 5.8 ounce weight (I weighed it; it's not 6.2), I often find myself placing my hand in my pocket to check that the knife is still clipped in and that I didn't drop it somewhere.

You are correct. I just copied the info off of ZT's page.

NDJeep · Jul 16, 2009

Receiving my next EDC(I presume) tomorrow.

Almost went with the ZT. Looks great, built like a tank.

But went with the Para-Military instead. Maybe a little less burly but I think the blade will be better.

2bkc · Jul 16, 2009

NDJeep said:
Receiving my next EDC(I presume) tomorrow.

Almost went with the ZT. Looks great, built like a tank.

But went with the Para-Military instead. Maybe a little less burly but I think the blade will be better.

The 0300 is built like a tank. It is huge and tough. Excellent knife. My brother carries one.

The 0350 however is a little under 1/2" thick. Fits nicely in the hand.

As for the blade of the para-military being better... I don't see how.
They have the same steel (S30V) unless you get the Foliage Green handled version which has CPM-D2. Other than design they both should about equal.
Unless you are talking about the thinness of the Para-Military blade... I still don't see how that would be better.

J.W.

Josh K · Jul 16, 2009

2bkc said:
The 0300 is built like a tank. It is huge and tough. Excellent knife. My brother carries one.

The 0350 however is a little under 1/2" thick. Fits nicely in the hand.

As for the blade of the para-military being better... I don't see how.
They have the same steel (S30V) unless you get the Foliage Green handled version which has CPM-D2. Other than design they both should about equal.
Unless you are talking about the thinness of the Para-Military blade... I still don't see how that would be better.

J.W.

I prefer the blade on the Para to the thick recurve on the 3XX (and 2XX) series ZT knives. The ZT's are impractical for EDC use unless you're going to abuse the hell out of it, and then I'd rather get a $5 pocket pry bar then a $200 knife.

slimshaneee · Jul 16, 2009

Definitely ZDP Caly 3. The smooth carbon fiber is one of the best parts of this knife in my opinion. Sharpest knife I've encountered.

After 4 pairs of jeans pocket shredded from g-10 handle scales I have more appreciation for the smooth handle on the Caly 3.

2bkc · Jul 17, 2009

Josh K said:
I prefer the blade on the Para to the thick recurve on the 3XX (and 2XX) series ZT knives. The ZT's are impractical for EDC use unless you're going to abuse the hell out of it, and then I'd rather get a $5 pocket pry bar then a $200 knife.

The Para is a fine product. I just didn't understand what NDJeep meant by the blade on it being better than the ZT. I figured that S30V was S30V. They both should hold an edge about the same and should have similar stress thresholds. I misspoke before (or typed, depending if this is being read or not

) the blades are similar in thickness (width). The ZT has a tall blade (what I call it) and the Para has a thinner (referring to the tip) blade.
Like I said in my earlier post I have found a use for it in every day life. I probably used it 40 or 50 times just today. I have had mine since they came out and have not sharpened it. My Protech TR1.4 sits in a display on my desk now because of it. Also the MSRP on the ZT is $140. The Para' Msrp is $219.95 (from Spyderco's website). All that really matters is what the person with the money in his or her pocket likes in a knife design.

Josh K said:
and then I'd rather get a $5 pocket pry bar then a $200 knife.

You can't really compare a Spyderco to a $5 prybar.
1. It is not nice.
2. Prybars are not that sharp out of the box.

Thanks for your time.

J.W.

J_Curd · Jul 17, 2009

Josh K said:
I prefer the blade on the Para to the thick recurve on the 3XX (and 2XX) series ZT knives. The ZT's are impractical for EDC use unless you're going to abuse the hell out of it, and then I'd rather get a $5 pocket pry bar then a $200 knife.

Nothing more entertaining than watching someone on a mission.

Josh K · Jul 17, 2009

J_Curd said:
Nothing more entertaining than watching someone on a mission.

What a worthless comment.

Reeek · Jul 17, 2009

NDJeep said:
Receiving my next EDC(I presume) tomorrow.

Almost went with the ZT. Looks great, built like a tank.

But went with the Para-Military instead. Maybe a little less burly but I think the blade will be better.

Great choice!

2bkc · Jul 17, 2009

Josh K said:
What a worthless comment.

J_Curd said:
Nothing more entertaining than watching someone on a mission.

That enough now. The whole purpose of the thread is to help novaldex see what different choices there are.

If you are not going to help, keep your non knife related posts out of here.
There is no room for that petty bickering.

Joe, I am sorry but, bad show.

Josh, That $5.00 pry-bar comment was uncalled for. I took it one way when I first read it. Now after reading some other posts I think it has a whole new meaning. Also, what gives you the right to dictate what knife is impractical for edc for someone else?

Now please, Lets get this thread back on track and help novaldex.

Josh K · Jul 17, 2009

2bkc said:
The Para is a fine product. I just didn't understand what NDJeep meant by the blade on it being better than the ZT. I figured that S30V was S30V. They both should hold an edge about the same and should have similar stress thresholds. I misspoke before (or typed, depending if this is being read or not) the blades are similar in thickness (width). The ZT has a tall blade (what I call it) and the Para has a thinner (referring to the tip) blade.
Like I said in my earlier post I have found a use for it in every day life. I probably used it 40 or 50 times just today. I have had mine since they came out and have not sharpened it. My Protech TR1.4 sits in a display on my desk now because of it. Also the MSRP on the ZT is $140. The Para' Msrp is $219.95 (from Spyderco's website). All that really matters is what the person with the money in his or her pocket likes in a knife design.

You can't really compare a Spyderco to a $5 prybar.
1. It is not nice.
2. Prybars are not that sharp out of the box.

Thanks for your time.

J.W.

I should have addressed this at the same time as J_Curd. I wasn't comparing them to a prybar, I was saying that per his requirements (crazy sharp, not overly large) the ZT line is a little overbuilt for his needs. I also thought you had mentioned the ZT300, not the 350 which is considerably lower priced. My apologies.

2bkc said:
That enough now. The whole purpose of the thread is to help novaldex see what different choices there are.

If you are not going to help, keep your non knife related posts out of here.
There is no room for that petty bickering.

Joe, I am sorry but, bad show.

Josh, That $5.00 pry-bar comment was uncalled for. I took it one way when I first read it. Now after reading some other posts I think it has a whole new meaning. Also, what gives you the right to dictate what knife is impractical for edc for someone else?

Now please, Lets get this thread back on track and help novaldex.

I'm not dictating, again, per his requirements I don't believe that a considerably large (wide) and overbuilt folder is correct. A Para, Caly3/ZDP, Leek/ZDP would be a better choice imo.

J_Curd believes for some reason that I am out to "get" and "disrespect" the entire lineup of Kershaw knives due to my opinions in a previous thread, thus the terse reply.